Hi, I’m Mara!

I’m an aspiring romantasy author and long-time writer - but nothing published yet! I used to gift my parents short stories as a child and my dad even helped to develop my writing skills by paying me $5 to write small research papers for him. How cute!

But then it was time to go to college and I was too scared to follow my passion…

I chose to study computer science instead of creative writing and I worked for seven years in the industry before I was laid off from my job in tech in March of 2026.

I had been scribbling ideas for a novel in a journal for three months (I didn’t trust any software because of AI, but now I use Scrivener which is AI-free!). After being laid off, I dove headfirst into finishing that novel and in July of 2026 I finished my first draft of more than 100,000 words and began the editing process. Currently I have two beta readers (shoutout to my husband and my mom! Haha).

I hope you’ll stick along for the journey of publishing my debut novel! Check back here for updates and insight into my writing process as I go. I’m also hoping to make author templates and other resources to help other writers along their own journey as well :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Eerie flowers

FAQs

  • I’m working on a dark romantasy set in a dangerous fae court with a brutal king. The story is heavy on the romance with a messy love triangle! I love a fated mate with a twist. I don’t want it to be obvious who the main character ends up with!

    In November, I’ll be starting the Novel November writing channel to work on the prequel to my current project. I’m hoping to document my progress on YouTube and Instagram, but only if it doesn’t distract from editing and writing too much.

    BONUS: Why the prequel?

    Because I want the characters in my story to feel as real and full of history as possible. I was really torn between working on the prequel to develop my characters more or the sequel to be able to leave easter eggs in the first book. Watch on YouTube to learn more about this decision and my progress!

  • Like many, ACOTAR got me back into reading and eventually that led to me writing again. Growing up I enjoyed books like the Hunger Games, the Other Boleyn Girl, dystopias like the Giver, and the Hobbit. Currently I’m reading books like Fourth Wing, Quicksilver, Isola, and Game of Thrones! I love anything with romantic tension and court politics and I’m always intrigued by a dystopia.

  • Not yet! I started writing down the ideas for my current project in a journal in December 2025 and I’m hoping to query in the spring of 2027!

  • Not yet! If you’re interested in representing me please reach out through my contact form, but otherwise I don’t intend to query until the spring of 2027!

  • I’m not sure yet! I’m very tempted to self-publish but I’m open to trying the traditional publishing route first and seeing where it takes me.

  • I am! I’m hoping to commission art for character portraits, maps, and banners in the spring of 2027. Reach out via my contact form with a link to your portfolio if you want to be considered!

    Please note: I do not support the use of generative AI in creative writing or art.